Since graduating with a B.A. in French in 1991 (and being on the Bronze Tablet - Joy Nevin), Joy Axelson has earned a Masters degree in French, an Illinois French teaching certificate, a French D.A.L.F. certificate, and has become an ATA-certified French translator and a Realtor®. 

She has had the privilege of teaching students French for seven years and then working as a French linguist for the Chicago FBI Field Office for eight years.

Now she owns her own translation company, Axelson Enterprises Ltd. and Axelson Realty LLC and, she reports, enjoys using her French skills almost every day.

In March, Joy was able to attend a major real estate conference in Cannes, France, thereby, in her words, “marrying my two professions.”

Quote: “Majoring in French at U of I was an excellent choice and, not only has it enriched my career, it has also enhanced the quality of my travels to Africa, Europe, and the Caribbean.”